Re: I\'m switching to AMSOIL
My name is Steve. I am the distributor of AMSOIL products that "ElDiablo Viper" spoke with. I would like to respond to the concerns posed with respect to AMSOIL Inc.’s use of the ASTM 4172B Four-Ball Wear Test and the circular symbol displayed in four AMSOIL product shots containing varying information, which has been purported to purposely mislead the consumer.
First, I would like to tell you about myself. I am a fully trained and certified distributor of lubricants and filtration, not simply a salesperson. Also, I do not work for AMSOIL, and therefore, am not obligated in any way to defend them, or solely represent their product line. The same is true of any distributor of AMSOIL products. I could carry as many brands of oil and filtration as I care to. I do not wish do deal in any other brand of oil or filter because I personally tested the AMSOIL product line, using oil analysis, against competing brands for five years before I decided to sell it, and found none to compare. In fact, AMSOIL has no in-house sales reps, so I can assure you that I am going to provide you with unbiased, factual, substantiated, and verifiable information. We are going to take a look at AMSOIL’s marketing in its’ entirety and what lubricant trade journals and consumer magazines have to say, both about AMSOIL Inc. and about their competitors. – All third-party information, not what AMSOIL, nor myself have to say about the issues at hand. All quotes will be referenced. I would be glad to supply copies of the articles in their entirety, or you can certainly contact the publishers named.
Solely based on the information presented, it would appear to be a dishonest attempt at marketing. But, as we all know from our own experience, things are not always as they seem. All the facts have not been taken into consideration. The original question posed by ElDiablo Viper was, “Is anyone using AMSOIL?” The one person who responded, “Yes” gave AMSOIL products two thumbs up.
There is a four-ball test method to determine wear protection and a four-ball test method to determine extreme pressure protection or load carrying capabilities. Just because the four-ball test method measuring wear protection capabilities isn't part of any modern (or recent) engine oil performance requirement, not part of API SJ or SL, any diesel API CG-4, CH-4, CI-4, etc, not the GM 9986137 Corvette spec, any Porsche, MB, spec, doesn’t mean that it should not be. Perhaps AMSOIL’s competitors have something to hide? I obtained the following definition regarding Four-Ball testing methods from oilanalysis.com: “This name is frequently used to describe either of two similar laboratory machines, the Four-Ball Wear Tester and the Four-Ball EP Tester. These machines are used to evaluate a lubricant’s anti-wear qualities, frictional characteristics or load carrying capabilities. It derives its name from the four 1/2 inch steel balls used as test specimens. Three of the balls are held together in a cup filled with lubricant while the fourth ball is rotated against them.”
Let us put the various Four-Ball test methods aside and look at another method of determining wear protection capabilities that no one can argue with – used oil analysis. As further proof that AMSOIL synthetic motor oil provides the finest wear protection available, The December 1998 issue of Fast Fours and Rotaries Magazine shows that while all claim to be superior, AMSOIL makes the world’s finest synthetic motor oil. They not only rated AMSOIL’s product number one, they called it a standout. This was a test of each company’s best product – their race grade oil, not the standard Mobil 1, or Castrol Syntec marketed here. Many of AMSOIL’s competitors make higher quality oils for the European market and are holding back on the USA. This is because the equivalent of the API for Europe, ACEA, sets higher minimum oil standards. Talk about being misled. AMSOIL had the lowest wear metal generation, with an average particle size of 5-10 microns. Most of the other brands had an average particle size of 15-20 microns, and some had an average particle size of 20-25 microns.
Shifting gears, AMSOIL was the only oil in the test that had no viscosity loss, perhaps the most vital aspect to consider when choosing motor oil. Even Shell Helix Ultra and Plus, the oils Ferrari uses, as well as Castrol R, suffered significant viscosity losses, and rated a little above average in wear metal generation. FFR tested AMSOIL Series 2000 20W-50, BP Visco 5000, Mobil 1 5W-50 and 0W-40, Hi-Tec HTO, Shell Helix Ultra and Plus, Royal Purple, Castrol R and Castrol SLX, and Torco. The product order listed is how the ten oils rated, from best to worst.
The photos showing the front labels of several AMSOIL products are relatively small and grainy on my 20” monitor, making the circle of information pointed out look more similar than they do in real life. I can only imagine how they look on a 17” monitor. Also, Tom did not show the information on the rear label of each product, which states – “XL-7500 provides exceptional protection over extended oil change intervals of 7,500 miles or six months, whichever comes first.” The rear label of the SAE 5W-30 states “Provides exceptional protection over extended drain intervals of up to 25,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first when used in gasoline fueled personal passenger vehicles.” The rear label of the Series 2000 0W-30 states, “Oil may be drained at intervals up to 35,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first when used in mechanically sound gasoline engines.” Do the numbers astound anyone? They ought to because AMSOIL is the ONLY oil company producing such long life synthetic motor oil.
Question: Why would AMSOIL use the oil-licensing symbol to mislead the consumer when they are the only oil manufacturer not holding back on technology and giving the consumer such long-life products? AMSOIL has been doing so for THIRTY YEARS! Where is the rest of the oil industry? Where have they been for the last thirty years? Talk about feeling misled! In 1972 AMSOIL introduced the world’s first API rated 100% synthetic motor oil and even that first product was capable of 25,000-mile drain intervals and SAID SO on the container. AMSOIL not only pioneered synthetics for the automobile, truck, and bus industry, but also developed the first long life synthetic lubricants, and coining the term “extended drain interval.”
The February 1994 issue of Lubricants World Magazine, a leading trade journal, Put AMSOIL in their “Hall of Fame” documenting that AMSOIL truly pioneered synthetic motor oil, are an honest and reputable company, and have made a significant contribution to the history of lubrication, worthy of bestowing the honor of placing the company in their hall of fame. Here is a quote from that article: “When the first can of AMSOIL 10W-40 appeared on the market in 1972, it signaled the birth of an entire industry. In only two decades, AMSOIL synthetic oils have expanded the boundaries of lubrication science and redefined the performance possibilities of modern machinery and engines. AMSOIL Inc. was founded on Al Amatuzio’s desire for technical innovation, his commitment to higher quality, and his belief that consumers would respond to a superior product. The company has remained true to these ideals; its history is a checklist of revolutionary products that have withstood the test of time. As the pioneer corporation in the field of synthetic lubrication, AMSOIL sees its commitment to excellence as an historic responsibility, and A.J. Amatuzio’s vision and enthusiasm continue to drive the company forward.”
In the March, 2003 issue of Lubes ‘n’ Greases Magazine, Automotive Editor, David McFall, wrote a scalding article entitled, “Drain Intervals: How Long Must We Wait?” (part of a series of three articles) about the dishonesty of the lubricant industry, and the honesty of only one oil manufacturer, AMSOIL, applauding AMSOIL for its’ extended drain technology.
Lubes-n-Greases Automotive Editor David McFall, once with the American Petroleum Institute recently tackled the issue of extended drain intervals in his March column, criticizing the standard 3,000-mile oil change and referring to the American motor oil market as "shackled." "In Europe the average engine oil drain interval for current gasoline-fueled cars is about 10,000 miles," explains McFall. "In the United States, indicates the Automotive Oil Change Association, the average drain interval followed by most drivers is somewhat less than 5,000 miles—one-half of Europe's. "Every year in the United States, this too-short drain interval results in the unneeded production of 300 million to 400 million gallons of engine oil; excess consumer expenditures of around $1.5 billion; and tens of millions of unnecessary oil changes."
Not only are these unnecessary oil changes an expense to consumers, explains McFall, but they have an environmental cost as well. "The added environmental cost of having an average 5,000-mile oil drain interval (instead of 10,000 miles, as in Europe) may be nearly 100 million gallons of engine oil being dumped, untreated, into the U.S. environment annually." McFall's examination of Mobil 1, Shell and AMSOIL demonstrates the differences among companies who are shackled to the current system and one who isn't.
"Here, in a nutshell," says McFall, "is this observer's take on ExxonMobil's and the oil industry's 'owner's manual' position: It is designed solely to increase motor oil sales." He backs it up by mentioning that Mobil 1 SuperSyn motor oil claims to meet European ACEA A5 and B5-02 specifications, two specifications intended to extend oil drain intervals. "If the oil can be used in Europe for extended drain intervals, why doesn't ExxonMobil notify U.S. consumers of that capability?" asks McFall. Although Shell Oil Products, owner of Pennzoil-Quaker State, has broken through the shackles enough to offer an API unlicensed oil specially formulated for higher mileage engines, they make no mention of a recommended drain interval, preferring instead to avoid the issue and keep consumers in the dark.
McFall marvels at the success of the independent motor oil company (AMSOIL) that offers drain intervals up to 11 times longer than the standard interval offered by conventional oils, saying, "Purists can sniff that AMSOIL's data isn't derived from a controlled field study, but the sheer mountain of vehicle miles over three decades, and the absence of any confirmed performance, wear or maintenance issues, speaks volumes." McFall sums up his column by highlighting the true value of AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil, stating the cost may be "two to three times higher than most retail conventional oils but if you can securely count on a 15,000- to 25,000-mile drain interval, it's a flat-out bargain, not to mention providing a clear environmental bonus."
I have “pages more” of trade and consumer magazine articles that all say the same thing. I also have many prestigious professional customers that use AMSOIL, both personally and in their business, some of whom are the fleet managers of some of the largest fleets in the USA, managing 5,000 or more vehicles. They have also tested other brands of oil and filters on the market using oil analysis and wouldn’t use anything but AMSOIL. It would be my pleasure to help anyone further interested in any way, whether it is technical information or the purchase of AMSOIL products. Feel free to contact me at
[email protected].
